Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I Got Away With It!

Went to the dentist this afternoon. I'm at the point where I want them to take out all my wisdom teeth so that I don't have problems with them anymore, so I really had nothing to fear.

Except that I did have a lurking fear of being told off for not having visited a dentist for so long. To the point where it would have taken me about half an hour to work out when I last went if they had asked. (I know it was before I turned 25. I think it was during Uni holidays. I rode my bike into town for the appointment)

But I didn't want to admit to more than 10 years (certainly not to maybe closer to 15), so I was very relieved that they found nothing that made them ask, "How long is it since you last visited a dentist?"

I got through the tiny meat hook scraping over everything ordeal.

And the taking x-ray ordeal.

Then being asked by the young technician how old I was, because he doesn't see many 35 year olds with only one filling and all their teeth (what the? I thought I was one of the lucky generation post flouride and pre allowing kids to drink Coke who all had great teeth.) Maybe my teeth make me seem younger? Cool!

I have to have other x-rays taken and have another consultation to discuss options, but when I asked the dentist, "so once you've seen the x-rays you'll be able to tell if they're okay and if there's enough room for them." He laughed and replied, "I know now that there's not enough room".

It sounds like they've got to go. But then how many wisdom teeth do I want in my head considering last week's achy grind? And the achy grind a couple of months ago? And the terrible achy grind the year before last when we were on holidays up north and I got worried that there was something desperately wrong and we were miles from home and wasting perfectly good holidays?

2 comments:

"...he doesn't see many 35 year olds with only one filling and all their teeth (what the? I thought I was one of the lucky generation post flouride and pre allowing kids to drink Coke who all had great teeth."Genetics has a LOT to do with it. I brush and floss religiously but even so I'll be lucky to keep my teeth for another five years - and I'm 38. I have multiple fillings in every single molar and a few of the front ones too. Right now I have lots of decay and a number of the molars have chipped (or lost large chunks) but I just don't have the money to see a dentist... and of course, the longer I wait, the more expensive it will be. Oh, the irony. Seriously, consider yourself very fortunate.

Yeah, see still surprising me - although I'm sorry that you've got such difficulties. The one thing I did learn today is that the cost of dental care has increased phenomenally in the last 10-15 years. My last check-up cost $40. Today's little excercise considerably more than that. For a check-up. I hate to think what actual fillings and stuff would cost.

I don't think either of my parents would consider that they have good teeth, but maybe they are not that bad comparatively.

Maybe it's all down to the flouride overdose that I got when my 'grown up' teeth were coming through (western town where the town supply was bore water with high mineral content). I have discoloured teeth, but strong as an ox.

I hope you can get dental care sooner rather than later. I guess at the moment concentrating on the emotional is more of a priority.

I will stop complaining now. Or at least until I find out what needs to happen with the wisdom teeth. I reserve the right to whinge and groan if/when they've come out.

About Me

I am 30-mumble, married, and I work from home.
We have approximately no children which is the biggest conversation killer for meeting new people. A dog just doesn't seem to cut it for the purpose of mutual child-related bragging.
I was always mad-keen on horses, although I haven't ridden for years. I also have a masochistic desire to learn ancient Greek. One of the few words I can remember is that for a passion for horses, hence the name.